Train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines to be suspended 7–10 December for ECID works

Train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines MRT stations will be suspended from 7 to 10 December to facilitate track connection work between the East-West Line (EWL) and the upcoming East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID).

In a statement issued on 5 November, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that the works, scheduled during the year-end school holiday, will prepare the ECID for its planned 2026 opening. For safety, train operations cannot run along this segment during the construction period.

To ease commuter inconvenience, LTA will deploy shuttle buses – labelled Shuttle 7 – operating between Tampines, Simei, and Tanah Merah stations at intervals of three to five minutes.

Fares for the shuttle bus will align with the usual MRT fare structure. A total of 55 double-decker buses will service the route, with temporary shelters set up at key locations to assist commuters waiting for buses during this period.

The suspension will affect nearby EWL stretches, impacting standard service flows. Ordinarily, trains travel from Tanah Merah to Pasir Ris, looping back for westbound services.

During the closure, however, LTA will adjust services across other affected EWL segments, including alternative routes.

For example, shuttle trains will run every five minutes between Tampines and Pasir Ris, every eight minutes between Tanah Merah and Expo, and every 11 minutes between Expo and Changi Airport.

Over the weekend, EWL trains will terminate at Tanah Merah, reversing direction there, while on 9 and 10 December, they will alternate between Tanah Merah and Paya Lebar, helping manage peak-hour crowds.

In an additional step to alleviate congestion, the frequency of trains on the Downtown Line (DTL) will increase, with an extra four trips per hour during the suspension period.

Commuters are advised to consider using alternative MRT lines to avoid delays, as travel times could extend by up to 30 minutes. For real-time information, travellers can consult LTA’s MyTransport.SG mobile app and social media channels.

LTA estimates that around 100,000 commuters may be affected daily.

“We strongly encourage commuters passing through affected stations to use alternative MRT lines, as this may shorten travel times,” LTA advised, highlighting options such as the DTL and other MRT lines.

The ECID track connection works include the removal of 80 metres of existing EWL tracks, sleepers, and the third rail, followed by the installation of new turnout tracks linking the EWL to the ECID.

The third rail, which powers MRT trains, and other power infrastructure will need to be reinstalled. Once track replacement is complete, a comprehensive test of signalling, power, and communication systems will ensure operational safety before service resumes.

LTA stated that planning for these works included detailed pre-construction tasks to limit commuter impact, including prior completion of viaducts and infrastructure adjustments.

“We scheduled this closure during the school holiday to minimise commuter disruption, and with the Saturday start, we can complete the most extensive works over the weekend and Monday,” LTA explained.

An LTA spokesperson reported that construction of the ECID – set to become the world’s first four-in-one depot integrating three train depots and one bus depot on a single site – is progressing well.

Nearly all structural work is completed, with the installation of rail tracks and electrical and mechanical systems underway. When operational, the ECID will enhance Singapore’s rail resilience by offering expanded capacity for launching and withdrawing trains, allowing for flexible service patterns and better handling of rail network disruptions.

LTA will provide periodic updates during the four-day suspension and further updates as works advance. Additional service adjustments will be scheduled next year and closer to the ECID’s 2026 operational launch to finalise preparations.

The LTA appealed for public understanding and patience, noting its commitment to balancing network improvements with commuter convenience. “We will continue to plan carefully to minimise the impact on commuters and will issue timely updates if additional adjustments are necessary,” LTA stated.